Connecticut @ Buffalo preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) Buffalo 21, Connecticut 45

THE STORY: With its Big East future suddenly up in the air, Connecticut will be looking to regroup against Buffalo on Saturday. The Huskies have been mentioned as a possibility to follow Syracuse and Pittsburgh out the door as the conference realignment wheels spin. Meanwhile, they have dropped two straight to BCS schools. The Bulls put together a solid effort last week but came up just short of their first road win. Buffalo will try to stay perfect at home.

TV: SNY. LINE: Connecticut -8.5

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (1-2, 0-0 Big East): The Huskies are still working with a rotation of three quarterbacks, though redshirt junior Johnny McEntee took the bulk of the snaps in last Saturday’s 24-20 loss to Iowa State. McEntee is completing just 45 percent (31 of 69) of his passes through three games. Connecticut’s lone win came against FCS Fordham in the opening week, and it has struggled against BCS-conference schools Vanderbilt and Iowa State. The offense has been the biggest problem, ranking 95th nationally with an average of 323.3 total yards. Defensive end Jesse Joseph, who contributed 8.5 sacks in 2010, will return Saturday after missing the first three games with a knee injury.

ABOUT BUFFALO (1-2, 0-1 MAC): The Bulls opened conference play last weekend with a crushing loss at Ball State. Buffalo held the lead late in the fourth quarter but allowed an 18-play, 75-yard drive, culminating with the game-winning touchdown with 29 seconds left. The Bulls opened the season against another Big East team, Pittsburgh, and were able to run for 276 yards and hold the ball for nearly two-thirds of the game, only to drop a 35-16 decision. Chazz Anderson has completed 64 percent of his passes for 589 yards and three touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Huskies lead the all-time series 14-4 and took last year’s meeting, 45-21. Connecticut is 16-2 all-time against MAC schools.

2. Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack leads the nation in tackles for loss with 7.5 and leads the team with 24 tackles overall.

3. Branden Oliver has rushed for five touchdowns for the Bulls. Buffalo had three rushing touchdowns all of last season.

PREDICTION: Connecticut 24, Buffalo 17 -- After coming up just short in two straight games, the Huskies will break through behind running back Lyle McCombs and a stout defense.